Forming a serene society
THE human mind acts as a control centre of all the activities one performs during a lifetime. People of the Stone Age lived in seclusion and insecurity, constantly threatened by danger. Afterward, they organized themselves into groups for their protection, leading to the development of societies. Since the beginning of human history, civilizations have only been able to grow and thrive by making societies progressive and inclusive. For this, humans formed rules forming a “social contract” for the right functioning of the social system. The ‘social contract’ comprises laws that determine the terms and conditions needed to further the prosperity of the community. A social contract comprised laws that work to prevent people from performing such acts that are detrimental to society.
Moreover, it outlines the responsibilities of a government to look after its people, ensuring their welfare. A social contract mandates that the government must govern the citizens by creating an environment that is conducive to their social and economic success which is a necessity for a flourishing society. It involves providing people not only with ample economic opportunities but also with chances to expand and live worthwhile life. In this context, economic and social gains make people take part in the community’s well-being. Moreover, people also get benefit financially and psychologically from economic and social opportunities that a social setup provides people with. Voltaire wrote in 1759 that “Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice and need. Providing people with income-earning opportunities is not enough, though.
Ancient emperors supplied food and organized circuses to make sure the people were happy. Employment, places of recreation and the ability to thrive through positive social interaction provide individuals with a fulfilled lifestyle. Establishing a social network, forming friendships and creating teams and groups are all ways to thrive in such progressing societies. The members of such societies are made to feel like they are valuable to society. This helps create an unbreakable connection between the people living in these societies, leading to a peaceful atmosphere. If societies don’t have such type of developmental patterns, they face decline and become overrun by crime, violence and lawlessness as well as a struggle for power and resources. Discord emerges in a society when people remain devoid of such a kind of a placid environment. When job opportunities are a few and far between, the unemployed youth often find themselves in a chaotic state of depression and fear that generates a sense of being without purpose.
Moreover, if there aren’t enough chances to nurture one’s abilities in the desired field, one may become estranged and remain discontented for life. The Western world has seriously worked on this phenomenon. They have opened up job openings for the youth while providing them with entertainment in the form of sports and the entertainment industry. Not only did it foster peaceful societies, but it also served to quell the emergence of discordant tendencies. It has provided a sense of direction for young people and enabled them to reach their full potential, producing athletes, business tycoons, scientists and activists. This is the way to build communities. This technique incorporates an all-inclusive mentality that helps improve the way of thinking of people in a group. A community deprived of such vital necessities can become an ideal setting for disoriented and criminal behaviour.
A lot of crime, especially in rural areas, comes from the invisible aspects which lead to people feeling excluded from society. The disparity in economic opportunities generates poverty. It breeds inequality, resulting in the proliferation of offences. It corrodes social cohesion, weakening people-to-people connections which leads to the decline of social values. It all forms a society where people employ force to ensure their well-being. A never-ending battle between classes arises in these societies, as human minds are in constant pursuit of these comforts, for money cannot bring about contentment. Those who are stuck in the same social station find harmful means to achieve their ambitions.
A prosperous society is one where doing something is more about giving people a sense of fulfillment than earning a profit. The creation of such societies requires wisdom and willpower. It requires a total revamp of mindset at the national level. Currently, our society presents a sad picture where the elements of a serene society are completely absent. The younger generation of Pakistan is involved in activities that have caused lasting damage to the economic and social health of the society. When gifted youth don’t capitalize on their potential in sports, entertainment and business, they become ostracized by society. It develops a sense of hatred in them towards those who find ample opportunities to thrive in life. Resultantly, social divides have deepened, an increase in social offences has been seen and our young people have experienced a fall in their intellectual ability and moral strength.
The absence of desirable jobs, sports activities and entertainment spaces has caused younger people to turn away from the path of wisdom and they have decided to look for solace outside their homeland in the hunt for more desirable opportunities. Engaging the youth in different constructive activities and creating sufficient economic opportunities is the responsibility of the government. It gives young people the energy they need to achieve constructive goals. To further the success of the nation, it is important to create jobs, organize sufficient entertainment and make a comprehensive overhaul of the sports sector to include our talented young people.
This is undoubtedly the only method of curing the suffering caused by extremism, economic decline, moral decay and social fragmentation that our society is facing today. The recent chaos and unrest in the country reflect the harsh reality that we have moved far away from the concept of making our nation a calm nation. Our social structure has become fragile, inviting the elements of pandemonium, confusion and disagreement to take over the harmonious co-existence of people. It requires immediate attention. Otherwise, it might only take another political wrangle to generate a never-ending social conflict.
—The writer is CSS Officer, based in Sargodha.
Email: [email protected]
